During the last week of May, CIMO (the Finnish Centre for International Mobility) brought together 70 senior students and adult educators to share their experiences of participation in the European Union’s Grundtvig programme.

© Tiina Lehmusvaara.

The aim of the Seniors on the Move seminar, organised within the frame of the European Year 2012, was to highlight the importance of internationalization for the elderly.

Vappu Taipale, an active opinion leader about issues concerning the elderly and an ambassador of the EY2012, was the guest speaker. She stressed the importance of the seniors’ right to live a rich and active life in the information society. The needs of senior people for learning are different from the needs of younger people, she said - they need more time, for motivation it helps if there is logic behind the learning task.

Senior learners who participate in Grundtvig Senior Volunteering projects and workshops explained their experiences, and some multy-country learning activities were presented. The event ended with participants celebrating a Pan European live meeting through Skype.